The British Crown Jewels dazzled at the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla, showcasing the rich history and tradition of the monarchy. Read more about the Crown Jewels in this blog post by an expert diamond dealer.
The Crown Jewels are a magnificent collection of precious objects, including crowns, scepters, orbs, and other regalia, all crafted from the finest materials and adorned with dazzling jewels. They are an integral part of the coronation ceremony and have been used in the coronation of every British monarch since the 17th century.
But the Crown Jewels are more than just beautiful objects; they are steeped in history and tradition, and each piece has its unique story. From the Imperial State Crown, which is set with over 3,000 diamonds, to the Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross, which contains the largest cut diamond in the world, each piece has played a vital role in the history of the British monarchy.
As King Charles III ascended to the throne, all eyes were on the Crown Jewels as they were again brought out for public display. The ceremony was a grand spectacle, filled with pomp and pageantry, and an unforgettable moment in the history of the United Kingdom.
Let us look at the British Crown Jewels at King Charles III's coronation.
The Coronation Regalia
The Coronation Regalia is the centerpiece of the Crown Jewels and consists of the revered items used in the coronation ceremony. Among them are the St Edward's Crown, the Imperial State Crown, the Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross, and the Sovereign's Orb.
1). ST. EDWARD’S CROWN for King Charles
Like the centuries before, the new king was crowned with the ST. Edward's Crown. The legendary crown was made for the coronation of King Charles II in 1661 and has since been used for the coronation of every monarch, including Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
The crown was created by the Royal Goldsmith, Robert Vyner, and features four crosses-pattée, four fleurs-de-lis, and two arches, and is made of solid gold adorned with various precious stones. It has a velvet cap with an ermine band.
2). Queen Mary's Crown for Queen Camilla
Queen Mary's Crown is an elaborate and intricate piece of jewellery made for Queen Mary in 1911. It is designed in the traditional style of a coronation crown, with a gold frame set with over 3,000 diamonds, including a 105-carat Koh-i-Noor diamond at the front.
The crown also features four large diamonds, known as the Cullinan diamonds, originally part of a larger diamond that was the largest ever found at the time. The diamonds are set in a cross shape, with a large pear-shaped diamond at the center.
The crown has a red velvet cap with ermine trim and a band of gold with a row of pearls at the base. It is considered one of the most valuable and important pieces in the Crown Jewels collection and is only displayed on special occasions, such as coronations and state openings of Parliament.
3). The Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross
The scepter is made of gold and is adorned with various precious stones, including diamonds, emeralds, and rubies. At the top of the scepter is a large, blue Cullinan II diamond, which weighs 317.4 carats and is one of the largest cut diamonds in the world.
The scepter is also decorated with gold filigree work and has a small, intricate model of the royal St. Edward's Crown on its top. The scepter is often paired with the Sovereign's Orb, representing the monarch's authority over the world.
The Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross symbolizes the monarchy's power and authority and is an iconic part of the Crown Jewels collection.
4). The Sovereign’s Orb
The Sovereign's Orb is a highly ornate and symbolic part of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. It is a gold sphere measuring about 6.5 inches in diameter and is decorated with over 400 precious stones, including diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.
The orb is topped with a band of diamonds and a large blue sapphire known as the Stuart Sapphire. This stone has a long and storied history, having once been owned by various members of the Stuart family, including King James II and Queen Victoria.
The orb represents the monarch's authority over the world and is traditionally held by the reigning monarch during coronation ceremonies. It is often paired with the Sovereign's Sceptre with the Cross, symbolizing the monarch's authority over the Church.
5). The Sovereign’s Sceptre with Dove
The Sovereign's Sceptre with Dove is a ceremonial scepter that is part of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. It is a smaller scepter, measuring about 10 inches in length, and is made of gold and precious stones.
At the top of the scepter is a gold dove with outstretched wings, symbolizing the Holy Spirit. The dove is decorated with diamonds, emeralds, and rubies and holds a small gold branch with leaves and berries in its beak.
The sceptre is traditionally carried by the reigning monarch during the coronation ceremony and is used to symbolize the monarch's role as a Defender of the Faith. It is often paired with the Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross and the Sovereign's Orb.
6). The Armills
The Armills, also known as the Royal Bracelets, are a pair of gold bracelets that are part of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. The monarch typically wears them during the coronation ceremony and symbolizes their commitment to upholding justice and mercy.
The bracelets are made of solid gold and decorated with intricate patterns of roses and fleurs-de-lis, traditional symbols of England and France. They are hinged so that they can be opened and closed and are lined with red velvet.
The Armills are one of the oldest pieces in the Crown Jewels collection, with the original pair dating back to the 14th century. The current pair was made in the 17th century and was used for the coronation of King Charles II in 1661.
The Armills is a beautiful and historic part of the Crown Jewels collection, representing the importance of justice and mercy in the monarchy's role.
7). The Imperial State Crown
As the monarch prepares to depart from the Abbey, there is a ceremonial exchange of crowns. Specifically, the St. Edward's Crown is removed from the monarch's head and replaced with the Imperial State Crown.
The crown is gold and decorated with over 2,800 diamonds, including the famous Stuart Sapphire and the Black Prince's Ruby. It also includes other precious stones such as emeralds, rubies, and sapphires. The crown weighs a staggering 1.06 kg and is adorned with several symbolic elements, including the Maltese Cross, representing the monarchy's ties to the Order of St. John.
The Imperial State Crown is also notable for its rich history, having been remodeled several times since it was first made for the coronation of Queen Victoria in 1838. The current version of the crown was made for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
The Imperial State Crown is a stunning and highly symbolic piece in the Crown Jewels collection, representing the monarchy's power and authority and its long and storied history.
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